UNITED NATIONS: Several members of the UN Security Council on Thursday were putting pressure on Russia to obtain humanitarian access to southwest Syria which is facing heavy bombardment by the Moscow-backed regime of President Bashar al-Assad.
Olof Skoog, Swedish ambassador to the UN, called on Russia’s counterparts to “urge parties to intensify efforts to enable cross border convoys from Jordan and urgently step up the protection for civilians” ahead of an emergency meeting called by Kuwait and Sweden, which holds the council’s rotating presidency this month.
It came as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued a new statement about a regime offensive in southern Syria that began on June 19, which he said was having a “devastating impact on civilians.”
“An estimated 750,000 lives are in danger and up to 325,000 people have been displaced,” Guterres said, reiterating his call for humanitarian aid deliveries to resume without delay.
Kuwait and Sweden meanwhile have called for an end to bombing, the protection of civilians and the delivery of humanitarian aid, said Annika Soder, a Swedish foreign ministry official.
“This shameful war must end with a political solution that depends on the will of the great powers,” she said. “The United States and Russia can solve the problem and manage a transition to a solution that is not just peaceful but just.”
According to a diplomat who requested anonymity, one of the difficulties in reducing violence is that “the Americans are retreating” when it comes to Syria.
Little concrete action is expected out of the meeting. Asked why it was being held behind closed doors and not in public, Skoog said: “The world is aware of the situation there. What we need to work out between ourselves is what the council can do about it. Sometimes that is better done in the closed chamber.”
“It is important that the cross border humanitarian assistance from Jordan is able to reach the refugees,” said Dutch ambassador Karel Van Oosterom, who emphasized the “grave responsibility for Russia, they are guarantor for the de-escalation zone.”
French ambassador Francois Delattre added the deliberate shelling of civilian targets was a “clear violation of the agreement of the de-escalation zone.”
“We need all parties to respect their obligations. All of this is ruining the current efforts for a dialogue,” he added.
Buoyed by major territorial gains Syria launched a fresh offensive against rebels in the country’s south on June 19 and now has its sights set on southwestern Daraa and Quneitra provinces.
The regime has employed a strategy combining bombing with talks for negotiated surrenders.
